Your Input

In our story “Green Sweep” (September issue, page 58), we incorrectly identified the country in which Kubota Tractor Corporation is headquartered. In fact, Kubota is a Japanese company.

In the same story, the caption under the photo of a pie chart says, “Last year Deere didn't sell any tractors in the 80- to 100-hp range.” This is not true.

The statement should have said Deere didn't sell any “value spec” (economy) tractors in that range, as shown in the chart. For several years, Deere has sold its 5000 and 6000 Five and Ten series tractors in the 40- to 95-hp range. The difference is that those models are built in Germany. And a top-of-the-line 6605 Advantage, for example, can sell for more than $50,000. In contrast, Deere's new 6603 series tractors are economy models built in Mexico. Their prices range from $30,942 to $34,870.

Tractor power

I find your article “More horsepower per gallon” (October issue, page 26) highly misleading when comparing the Quadtrac to wheeled tractors. I have two older large 4-wd IH 4786s and a Quadtrac. In the real world there is no comparison between the traction of a Quadtrac and a wheeled tractor. You say Case and Deere can get 92% of their power on the ground with wheeled tractors and the Quadtrac only gets 86%. This is horse manure. They may get 92% of their power on the cement where they do the test, but in the real world where we farm it's different. I have cultivated fields with the Quadtrac that I was not able to drive across with the wheeled tractor. In other words, the Quadtrac gets 50% or 60% of its power on the ground when a wheeled tractor can barely get 5%. If we always had ideal conditions, there'd be no reason to have a 4-wd tractor. You could farm quite well with a 2-wd tractor. Since most of us don't farm on cement fields, why not do the tests in real-world fields so we can get a real comparison? Robert J. Otto Crystal, ND

Editor's note: The Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory runs its tests on concrete to maintain consistency. The tests are not meant to be analogous to “real-life” conditions, but are one tool in comparing basic measures of machine performance.

Fixing grain carts

Do you know where I can find beveled gears and bearings for our United Farm Tools grain cart? I believe the company is out of business.Ruth Brandenhorst Oskaloosa, IA

I have a model 712 Bainbridge metal cutoff saw that needs a replacement gear. The warranty card directs me to Gator Manufacturing, Battle Creek, MI. Calls to the company put me through to an insurance agency. Could you help with an outlet for parts?Brad Hays Ada, OH

You're not the only one looking in vain for parts to a Bainbridge saw. No Bainbridge saws have been manufactured for 10 years. American Gator bought Bainbridge five years ago and reports that it has never had saws or saw parts available.

Fuel pump parts

I just broke part of my Mico fuel transfer pump. Do you have a phone number to contact them?Dave Carter via e-mail

Contact Mico Impeller Pump, Box 1910, Casper, WY 82602, 877/237-9392.

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